Flora Base Complete

[nurglespuss]

Hi all,

well things are progressing a pace, I bought a bag of flora base from my local maiden head, as they had some other other brands, but in massive bags, and I only needed a small bag.

OK, well the long and short of it is, I've been reading a few reviews of it, and aome are not so favourable.

I'm worried about it collapsing into mud after a few months....

Is it worth mixing it with some sand (and fine gravel if neccesary) to increase its integrity or is this uneccesary?

Thanks.

 

[ian]

Tis a brilliant substrate, the best i have used for planting. I have used it on my nano's in the past and have nothing but praise for it. Same applies for our top scapers, Mark Evans and George Farmer have used it and praised it highly.

There is one con, but it didn't affect me as i did daily water changes for a week and that was it leached a bit of ammonia. If i could have afforded 20l for my main tank i would have used it in my main tank.

ps, we are talking about Columbo Florabase?

 

[RadaR]

Assuming this is the Colombo Flora-base and not the Red Sea Flora-base...

Colombo Flora-base is, in my opinion, the best substrate out there. I'm 100% happy with it in my 125litre. Havn't seen any crumbling at all and it's so easy to plant in.

I planted heavily straight away (also EI, pressurized CO2) and didn't experience any diatoms, which is a big indicator of leached ammonia from substrate. Water changes were 50% per week.

I wouldn't mix it at all.
1. It's not necessary.
2. It would look messy.

 

[nurglespuss]

Ah yes it is the columbo stuff

Thanks for the heads up! I'm glad I bought some decent stuff!!

I've ordered plants from the green machine, so with a bit of luck, I can have substrate, wood (been soaking for a week), plants and CO2 all in on the same evening! ;P

I wont be introducing shrimp for at leas a month (maybe longer as I add more plants), so ammonia 'should' be OK

Thanks again!

Is it difficult (technically) to plant 'into'?

 

[RadaR]

Is it difficult (technically) to plant 'into'?

No, it's "soft" and requires little force to push into. Despite this, it holds the plants very well.

 

[nurglespuss]

Brill

thanks!

I'm really looking forward to bringing this all together!

 

[ian]

Is it difficult (technically) to plant 'into'?

Again, it is the easiest thing i have used for planting. Brilliant stuff.

 

[micko]

Might get some of this for a planted only tank I'm planning.